Anchor for tool, method for managing a borehole, and system

ABSTRACT

A downhole tool including a body having a function relevant to a selected environment, an electroactive polymer (EAP) anchor disposed with the body and configured to expand, upon application of an electric signal to the EAP, into loaded contact with a tubular member in which the downhole tool is to be set during use. A method for managing a borehole including running a tool to a selected depth in the borehole, applying an electric signal to the EAP, and anchoring the tool with the EAP. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, a tool disposed within or as a part of the string.

BACKGROUND

In the resource recovery and fluid sequestration industries there is often a need to anchor tools in place for specific operations. The anchors also may at times provide a seal against a tubular in which the anchor is active. In recent times, there has been growing interest in settable and resettable anchors to enhance efficiency in borehole operations by managing several operations on one run. Additional innovations that improve or enhance an operators ability to improve efficiency are always welcomed in the relevant industries.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of a downhole tool including a body having a function relevant to a selected environment, an electroactive polymer (EAP) anchor disposed with the body and configured to expand, upon application of an electric signal to the EAP, into loaded contact with a tubular member in which the downhole tool is to be set during use.

A method for managing a borehole including running a tool to a selected depth in the borehole, applying an electric signal to the EAP, and anchoring the tool with the EAP.

An embodiment of a borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, a tool disposed within or as a part of the string.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a tool in a borehole environment with an Electroactive Polymer based anchor as disclosed herein; and

FIG. 2 is a view of a borehole system including the tool as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a tool 10 is illustrated. Tool 10 comprises a body 12 and an anchor 14. The anchor comprises an electroactive polymer (EAP) configured in a toroidal shape that is disposed about the body 12. Upon application of an electrical signal to the anchor 14, the EAP expands to come into contact with a structure 16 radially outwardly disposed of the tool 10. In embodiments, the structure 16 is a tubular member or may be the borehole itself. In either case, the EAP expands into contact with the structure 16 and creates a radially load thereon, which anchors the tool 10 in the selected location. In some embodiments, the EAP is provided at a radially outer surface thereof a surface texture 18 such as teeth, wickers, roughness, etc. to enhance gripping properties. Also, in some embodiments, the EAP creates a pressure seal as well as an anchor. EAP is commercially available and hence does not require specific disclosure of its makeup in this disclosure.

Also in embodiments, a controller 20 may be placed in operable connection with the EAP. The controller may have its own electrical signal source, such as a battery or may include a sensor 22 connected thereto. Such a sensor 22 may be a temperature, pressure or depth sensor, for example. With the controller 20, the setting and unsetting of the anchor 14 may be autonomous in response to sensing a threshold parameter. The anchor may also be employed with out a controller but rather through the application of electrical signal through a tether 24 by a surface operator at a selected time.

Referring FIG. 2 , a borehole system 30 is illustrated. The system 30 comprises a borehole 72 in a subsurface formation 74. A string 76 is disposed within the borehole 72. A tool 10 as disclosed herein is disposed within or as a part of the string 76.

Set forth below are some embodiments of the foregoing disclosure:

Embodiment 1: A downhole tool including a body having a function relevant to a selected environment, an electroactive polymer (EAP) anchor disposed with the body and configured to expand, upon application of an electric signal to the EAP, into loaded contact with a tubular member in which the downhole tool is to be set during use.

Embodiment 2: The tool as in any prior embodiment wherein the EAP is constituted in a toroidal form.

Embodiment 3: The tool as in any prior embodiment wherein the EAP includes a surface texture at an outside diameter of the annular form.

Embodiment 4: The tool as in any prior embodiment wherein the tool further includes a controller configured to apply the electric signal to the EAP upon occurrence of a trigger.

Embodiment 5: The tool as in any prior embodiment wherein the trigger is one or more of temperature, pressure, depth, and environmental chemical makeup.

Embodiment 6: The tool as in any prior embodiment wherein the tool is a fracture tool.

Embodiment 7: The tool as in any prior embodiment wherein the tool is a chemical injection tool.

Embodiment 8: A method for managing a borehole including running a tool as in any prior embodiment to a selected depth in the borehole, applying an electric signal to the EAP, and anchoring the tool with the EAP.

Embodiment 9: The method as in any prior embodiment wherein the applying is automatic in response to a sensed condition.

Embodiment 10: The method as in any prior embodiment wherein the anchoring is expanding the EAP into contact with a structure radially outwardly located of the tool.

Embodiment 11: The method as in any prior embodiment, further comprising creating a seal with the EAP.

Embodiment 12: The method as in any prior embodiment wherein the applying is voltage.

Embodiment 13: The method as in any prior embodiment wherein the applying is current.

Embodiment 14: A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, a tool as in any prior embodiment disposed within or as a part of the string.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Further, it should be noted that the terms “first,” “second,” and the like herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The terms “about”, “substantially” and “generally” are intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application. For example, “about” and/or “substantially” and/or “generally” can include a range of ±8% or 5%, or 2% of a given value.

The teachings of the present disclosure may be used in a variety of well operations. These operations may involve using one or more treatment agents to treat a formation, the fluids resident in a formation, a borehole, and/or equipment in the borehole, such as production tubing. The treatment agents may be in the form of liquids, gases, solids, semi-solids, and mixtures thereof. Illustrative treatment agents include, but are not limited to, fracturing fluids, acids, steam, water, brine, anti-corrosion agents, cement, permeability modifiers, drilling muds, emulsifiers, demulsifiers, tracers, flow improvers etc. Illustrative well operations include, but are not limited to, hydraulic fracturing, stimulation, tracer injection, cleaning, acidizing, steam injection, water flooding, cementing, etc.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited. 

1. A downhole tool comprising: a body having a function relevant to a selected environment; an electroactive polymer (EAP) anchor disposed with the body and configured to expand, upon application of an electric signal to the EAP, into loaded contact with a tubular member in which the downhole tool is to be set during use, the EAP being otherwise unrelated to the function of the body of the tool.
 2. The tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the EAP is constituted in a toroidal form.
 3. The tool as claimed in claim 2 wherein the EAP includes a surface texture at an outside diameter of the annular form.
 4. The tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tool further includes a controller configured to apply the electric signal to the EAP upon occurrence of a trigger.
 5. The tool as claimed in claim 4 wherein the trigger is one or more of temperature, pressure, depth, and environmental chemical makeup.
 6. The tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tool is a fracture tool.
 7. The tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tool is a chemical injection tool.
 8. A method for managing a borehole comprising: running a tool as claimed in claim 1 to a selected depth in the borehole; applying an electric signal to the EAP; and anchoring the tool with the EAP.
 9. The method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the applying is automatic in response to a sensed condition.
 10. The method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the anchoring is expanding the EAP into contact with a structure radially outwardly located of the tool.
 11. The method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising creating a seal with the EAP.
 12. The method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the applying is voltage.
 13. The method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the applying is current.
 14. A borehole system comprising: a borehole in a subsurface formation; a string in the borehole; a tool as claimed in claim 1 disposed within or as a part of the string. 